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Evolution by natural selection: Difference between revisions
Evolution by natural selection (view source)
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The process is effectively “trial-and-error” or “generate-and-test”: The problem is how best to survive and replicate in the given environment; the “best” solutions for the process continuously generate new trials, test them, discard failures, and keep the successes. | The process is effectively “trial-and-error” or “generate-and-test”: The problem is how best to survive and replicate in the given environment; the “best” solutions for the process continuously generate new trials, test them, discard failures, and keep the successes. | ||
[[File:Path dependence 1.png|thumb|Each step constrains the possible directions for the next step.]] | |||
[[File:Path dependence 2.png|thumb|A different choice a long time a go can lead in very different directions]] | |||
===Observations on the evolutionary process=== | ===Observations on the evolutionary process=== | ||
*It is '''algorithmic''': it is suitable in concept for use by a [[Turing machine]]. | *It is '''algorithmic''': it is suitable in concept for use by a [[Turing machine]]. | ||
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::(ii) evolving organisms consuming resources and competing with each other; or | ::(ii) evolving organisms consuming resources and competing with each other; or | ||
::(iii) extraordinary climactic events (earthquakes, volcanoes, meteorites, invasions of “aliens”). | ::(iii) extraordinary climactic events (earthquakes, volcanoes, meteorites, invasions of “aliens”). | ||
*It is '''profoundly inefficient''': the iterative nature of the evolutionary process is highly unlikely to produce design economy: Each new adaptation depends on, and is layered on top of, all earlier adaptations. The more more recent an adaptation is, the more susceptible it is to successful mutation. Mutations in basic characteristics on which a lot of subsequent bio-engineering depends are likely to be catastrophic. A design flaw that is critical will lead to extinction. A non-critical design-flaw may be that layering work-arounds over earlier design flaws, | *It is '''profoundly inefficient''': the iterative nature of the evolutionary process is highly unlikely to produce design economy: Each new adaptation depends on, and is layered on top of, all earlier adaptations. The more more recent an adaptation is, the more susceptible it is to successful mutation. Mutations in basic characteristics on which a lot of subsequent bio-engineering depends are likely to be catastrophic. A design flaw that is critical will lead to extinction. A non-critical design-flaw may be that layering work-arounds over earlier design flaws, but there is no mechanism in evolution (other than fiat) to “improve” an underlying design. | ||
*It is '''[[path-dependent]]''': Where any step can go depends on where you start and what are the prevailing environmental conditions. The further back down the chain you go,the more divergent subsequent paths can be. | |||
*It is [[survivor bias]] writ large | *It is [[survivor bias]] writ large | ||